The security situation for civilians, especially youth in Jaffna has deteriorated to such a level that families have begun to flee the peninsula to seek refuge in Colombo and make an attempt to send their sons overseas.
The international ceasefire monitoring team (SLMM) in its latest assessment report focuses on concerns of the high prices on essential items, a general halt in the economy, increased difficulties to enter the city of Jaffna, an increase of military round-ups and house searches, emigration of skilled labour and fishing restrictions.
A Wellawatte lodge manager said of the inmates, more than half were from Jaffna seeking security for themselves or their children, mostly young boys.
Driven out of their homes by a 3 decade-long civil war, extrajudicial killings, abductions, a high cost of living and little hope for a normal life, these families have trickled into Colombo on boats and via planes, after the closure of the A9 highway.
“We charge between Rs. 300 and Rs. 1,700 per day. However, meals are not provided and cooking is banned inside the rooms due to the lack of facilities.
At present there are about 120 individuals occupying the 50 rooms we have,” the manager of the ‘Ideal’ lodge in Wellawatte said.
“We give a daily update to the Wellewatte police about new arrivals and those who leave our lodge. Some people come and stay for a few days to get passports or ID cards. Others are staying for months or even years,” he added.
A 23-year-old youth has been stranded in this lodge for more than one and a half years, attempting to go to Sweden. He had come to Colombo, abandoning his advanced level studies as the situation in Jaffna deteriorated.
“My visa applications to Sweden were rejected twice. Now I am trying to go to the West Asia through an agency. I can’t go back to Jaffna under the current circumstances although my parents and younger brother are still there. Each family must have at least one member working abroad to send money. The cost of living there is unbearable, with a kilo of rice priced at Rs. 200, while chicken costs Rs. 1,500,” he said.
In the mean time, he has been arrested on suspicion and released three times. He was compelled to leave his job because of this and is now finding it difficult to find employment.
“I want to continue with my studies. However much the applications are rejected I will stay and keep on trying because there is no other alternative,” he said.
64-year-old Rasamma is waiting for the Police clearance for her son. She says the whole process will take about two months. She has been living in the lodge for about 9 months, trying to join her other son in Canada.
This new delay was caused by the surprise eviction of 385 Tamil lodgers from Colombo on July 7. Rasamma and her son were also evicted and promptly allowed to return. However, she has to get the police clearance reports again.
“I had all the documents ready at that time. Now we have to wait again. My house was situated between two army camps and I was caught in between the cross fires. I feel at peace at the lodge. I don’t want to go back,” she said.
